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Post by Omwenga on Aug 30, 2012 16:23:10 GMT 3
MPs fault IEBC over elections rules Daily Nation, Narobi 30 August 2012 Kenyan MPs have raised a red flag over failure by the electoral commission to present to the House rules that will govern the next General Election. At a meeting in Nairobi’s County Hall, the MPs sought to know from the chief executive of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) James Oswago, why the commission had failed to beat a legal deadline. The law requires the rules to be in the House six months before the polling date. The MPs complained that they’d written to the IEBC three times, but they had not received a reply. "We wrote to the IEBC on May 14, seeking to find out the status of the rules, there was no response. We wrote again on August 9, there was no response. "We wrote on August 23, there was no response, so we want to know what’s happening,” said Ms Amina Abdalla (nominated). Ms Abdalla chaired the joint-sitting of the House Committee on Delegated Legislation, and the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC). "These regulations have not been brought to the House, yet they are expected to have been gazetted by Tuesday next week. That’s why we want the IEBC to tell us what’s happening. We’ve only half-a sitting today (Thursday) to review the regulation, yet we haven’t received them. How do you intend to beat the deadline?” posed Ms Abdalla. Kenya goes to the polls in March 4, 2013, therefore the deadline for the regulations is September 4, 2012 –six months to elections. Mr Oswago said the IEBC had responded to all the letters from Parliament, and if the House had not received the letters it’s because of a “communication breakdown”. Mr Oswago added that he’d presented a copy of the draft regulations to the Attorney General Githu Muigai. Share This Story Diaspora voting But MPs insisted that it was wrong for the IEBC to take the regulations to the AG, instead of Parliament. The lawmakers said they had informally received a copy of the regulations, and had proposed “many changes”. Ms Abdalla said that among the changes is the criteria that the IEBC will use to pick polling clerks; the responsibility of the constituency returning officer, and diaspora voting. “The IEBC is just being difficult in not declaring what the diaspora would be voting for; where they’ll do the voting and how the tallying will take place,” said Ms Abdalla, noting the uncertainty over whether Kenyans abroad will participate in the polls or not. The coalition party symbols to be used before and after the elections, plus the vetting exercise that the commission will apply in weeding out candidates is also one of the things that MPs want to have a say on in the rules. The Leadership and Integrity Act was approved in the House last week and assented to on Monday by the President. Nomination fees is also a big question that the MPs want the IEBC to address in the regulations. "We’ll also discuss the contentious issue on the nomination fee, it would be wise for the IEBC to tell us what informed the 500 per cent increase in nomination fee,” said Ms Abdalla. The meeting then was held behind closed doors, after Ms Abdalla unilaterally kicked out journalists. Daily Nation www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/MPs+fault+IEBC+over+elections+rules+/-/1064/1490370/-/5xhfkq/-/index.html
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Post by job on Aug 30, 2012 23:56:07 GMT 3
Talking of an ”Independent” electoral body – it’s now pretty obvious IEBC’s functions have been taken over by State House and the Finance and Justice Ministries. This was best exemplified by State House initiating the largely secretive government-to-government contracting for a BVM system. Then these: Finance Minister Njeru Githae said the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and government officials should not comment on the procurement process to avoid creating anxiety among the Kenyans. allafrica.com/stories/201208221264.html THE government will issue a statement on the status of the ongoing tendering for Biometric Voter Registration kits between Kenya and Canada. Justice minister Eugene Wamalwa said the update will be made... (read the rest) www.the-star.co.ke/national/national/91965-state-to-give-bvr-update-eugeneNow that it’s obvious there’s little Independence in the body (stemming from that PNU power-grab)– let’s weigh the other issue on its competence and effectiveness ( in performing the rest of its mandate). The Isaak Hassan-led body has so far displayed reckless impunity and ineptitude in handling the current by elections. IEBC has refused to respect our new laws and the Constitution by accepting nomination papers from party hoppers. The Political Parties Act forbids people who lose in their respective party nominations from securing nomination in other parties. But in appalling display of business-as-usual – IEBC has gone ahead to accept and issue clearance certificates to quite a number of failed party hoppers in Kangema and Kajiado North. If IEBC can’t enforce our new laws in just these 3 constituencies, how will it handle the thousands of elective seats in the next general election? And as Omwenga's post above illustrates, they haven't apparently laid out the rules to follow in the impending humongous task. Very disappointing and disheartening!!! What a waste! Folks, I have sadly reached the conclusion that we are likely headed to yet another election fiasco in 2013. One wing of the coalition has taken advantage of current political distractions to engineer yet another power-grab of this crucial body - robbing it independence and credibility. This is the period in which registration clerks are being recruited and trained - under this prevailing climate...where PNU-controlled State House, Treasury and Sheria House are controlling the shots at Anniversary Towers (IEBC Hqs that's literally swamped by NSIS agents). These developments don't certainly inspire confidence in this electoral body; but in fact provide ominous reminder of the subduing of ECK Chairman Samuel Kivuitu in 2007. If these shenanigans were meant to rob public confidence in the electoral process, it is happening right before our eyes.
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Post by jakaswanga on Sept 1, 2012 9:48:40 GMT 3
Folks, I have sadly reached the conclusion that we are likely headed to yet another election fiasco in 2013. One wing of the coalition has taken advantage of current political distractions to engineer yet another power-grab of this crucial body - robbing it independence and credibility. This is the period in which registration clerks are being recruited and trained - under this prevailing climate...where PNU-controlled State House, Treasury and Sheria House are controlling the shots at Anniversary Towers (IEBC Hqs that's literally swamped by NSIS agents). These developments don't certainly inspire confidence in this electoral body; but in fact provide ominous reminder of the subduing of ECK Chairman Samuel Kivuitu in 2007. If these shenanigans were meant to rob public confidence in the electoral process, it is happening right before our eyes. JobThis pessimistic conclusion is correct. But where I disagree with you is the apportioning of blame. For you the evil is all PNU. You seem to see all these things as PNU power-grab plots, and patented stratagems that exclude their partners in the crime, the ODM. Yet the truth is that, if you look at the firepower ---intellectual, bureaucratic and organisational, which the ODM side brings to the GoK fest, it can not be correct to assume that they are helpless, therefore ridden roughshod and ignored at every juncture. No, on the contrary, these corruption deals are compromises, mutual deals, and the NISS runs a very delicate racket balancing money on both sides. This makes them have the insurance of blackmailing everybody worth blackmailing on both sides of the GCG. That is standard practice for any intelligence organisation for leverage.The PNU-side is not eating alone. Neither is the ODM a reluctant guest. These guys are in concert, eating at the same table without disadvantaging the other. Biologists have a name for that which I do not remember. A conflict resolution model. It is not really the PNU driving the nation toward the next PEV. It is the GCG. I find this an important nuance to bring in. The apportioning of this blame must be done more thoughtfully without whitewashing/blackwashing one side. {this is a bad imagery for race sensitive linguists} so I say without pasting sheepskin on the other wolf within the pen. On intellectual corruption and degeneration, you see it for instance in men once of Solomonic minds like speaker Marende, becoming ordinary goons. That too, is the mindset of ODM luminaries in the power corridors. Willing buyer willing seller, lets screw the nation. Toward a festival of machete music in the air. The historical pit, or fix of the nation of Kenya, is that her next president will be recruited from the same bag of scum. It is a stinking future. IEBC is dead of course. But the wolves still have use for this zombie body.
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Post by nok on Sept 1, 2012 12:38:23 GMT 3
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Post by b6k on Sept 1, 2012 14:59:28 GMT 3
Folks, I have sadly reached the conclusion that we are likely headed to yet another election fiasco in 2013. One wing of the coalition has taken advantage of current political distractions to engineer yet another power-grab of this crucial body - robbing it independence and credibility. This is the period in which registration clerks are being recruited and trained - under this prevailing climate...where PNU-controlled State House, Treasury and Sheria House are controlling the shots at Anniversary Towers (IEBC Hqs that's literally swamped by NSIS agents). These developments don't certainly inspire confidence in this electoral body; but in fact provide ominous reminder of the subduing of ECK Chairman Samuel Kivuitu in 2007. If these shenanigans were meant to rob public confidence in the electoral process, it is happening right before our eyes. JobThis pessimistic conclusion is correct. But where I disagree with you is the apportioning of blame. For you the evil is all PNU. You seem to see all these things as PNU power-grab plots, and patented stratagems that exclude their partners in the crime, the ODM. Yet the truth is that, if you look at the firepower ---intellectual, bureaucratic and organisational, which the ODM side brings to the GoK fest, it can not be correct to assume that they are helpless, therefore ridden roughshod and ignored at every juncture. No, on the contrary, these corruption deals are compromises, mutual deals, and the NISS runs a very delicate racket balancing money on both sides. This makes them have the insurance of blackmailing everybody worth blackmailing on both sides of the GCG. That is standard practice for any intelligence organisation for leverage.The PNU-side is not eating alone. Neither is the ODM a reluctant guest. These guys are in concert, eating at the same table without disadvantaging the other. Biologists have a name for that which I do not remember. A conflict resolution model. It is not really the PNU driving the nation toward the next PEV. It is the GCG. I find this an important nuance to bring in. The apportioning of this blame must be done more thoughtfully without whitewashing/blackwashing one side. {this is a bad imagery for race sensitive linguists} so I say without pasting sheepskin on the other wolf within the pen. On intellectual corruption and degeneration, you see it for instance in men once of Solomonic minds like speaker Marende, becoming ordinary goons. That too, is the mindset of ODM luminaries in the power corridors. Willing buyer willing seller, lets screw the nation. Toward a festival of machete music in the air. The historical pit, or fix of the nation of Kenya, is that her next president will be recruited from the same bag of scum. It is a stinking future. IEBC is dead of course. But the wolves still have use for this zombie body. Indeed, Jakaswanga. ebony & ivory "eat" together in perfect harmony where the GCG is concerned...
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Post by jakaswanga on Sept 1, 2012 20:03:09 GMT 3
Nok,Thank you very much! I could not find a way of checking the term up! The identical twins PNU and ODM as conjoined monsters, symbiotically cannibalizing Kenya. While we, the bleeding populace cheer! What is wrong with our b6k? the independent looking for saints where there are none! looking for his virgin nun in a who-re-house! ;D ;D
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Post by Omwenga on Sept 15, 2012 22:35:04 GMT 3
In MPs Focus On Taming Wars At IEBC, www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000066254&pageNo=1 the Standard is reporting that Ikolomani MP Khalwale is trying to have a bill passed to amend the elections law ostensibly to resolve power elbowing between the IEBC Chairman and its CEO. According to the piece, Khalwale wants to have the Chairman have free reign to do whatever he pleases and without regard to objections from sound, objective technocrats like CEO Oswago. That bill should not be proposed, let alone become law for that will be the same thing as saying to heck with accountability and transparency at IEBC and we know where that led us to in 2007. Let's all join in telling Khalwale to focus more on making IEBC more transparent and accountable to the public than a rubber stamp for behind the scenes deals he will surely guarantee if the Chairman whose conduct thus far is questionable at best is given free reign to do as he pleases.
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Post by jakaswanga on Sept 16, 2012 8:53:48 GMT 3
In MPs Focus On Taming Wars At IEBC, www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000066254&pageNo=1 the Standard is reporting that Ikolomani MP Khalwale is trying to have a bill passed to amend the elections law ostensibly to resolve power elbowing between the IEBC Chairman and its CEO. According to the piece, Khalwale wants to have the Chairman have free reign to do whatever he pleases and without regard to objections from sound, objective technocrats like CEO Oswago. That bill should not be proposed, let alone become law for that will be the same thing as saying to heck with accountability and transparency at IEBC and we know where that led us to in 2007. Let's all join in telling Khalwale to focus more on making IEBC more transparent and accountable to the public than a rubber stamp for behind the scenes deals he will surely guarantee if the Chairman whose conduct thus far is questionable at best is given free reign to do as he pleases. Well, brother Omwenga, I think the IEBC no longer exists as it was constituted. The cabinet, and Njeri Githae, have taken over most of their important roles in the run to the elections. And they are barred from discussing it, at least in public. I am banking on chaotic elections, disputes, and now with the deputy speaker saying forget march as date, without the IEBC immediately shutting him up because this is their mandate after all, i think this body is only there still, to keep up appearances. Very very dangerous. By the way as a lawyer, if the date is postponed once again, how legal will the salaries of the MPigs be? could they be barred from consuming the tax-payer?
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Post by phil on Sept 16, 2012 12:38:43 GMT 3
In MPs Focus On Taming Wars At IEBC, www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000066254&pageNo=1 the Standard is reporting that Ikolomani MP Khalwale is trying to have a bill passed to amend the elections law ostensibly to resolve power elbowing between the IEBC Chairman and its CEO. According to the piece, Khalwale wants to have the Chairman have free reign to do whatever he pleases and without regard to objections from sound, objective technocrats like CEO Oswago. That bill should not be proposed, let alone become law for that will be the same thing as saying to heck with accountability and transparency at IEBC and we know where that led us to in 2007. Let's all join in telling Khalwale to focus more on making IEBC more transparent and accountable to the public than a rubber stamp for behind the scenes deals he will surely guarantee if the Chairman whose conduct thus far is questionable at best is given free reign to do as he pleases. You have hit the nail on the head Bw. Omwenga. Transparency, accountability and independence are what the IEBC need. If Khalwale had proposed a total complete revamping of the commission, perhaps I would have considered supporting his views. For now, sadly, he is also playing risky political games.
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Post by Omwenga on Sept 16, 2012 22:54:31 GMT 3
In MPs Focus On Taming Wars At IEBC, www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000066254&pageNo=1 the Standard is reporting that Ikolomani MP Khalwale is trying to have a bill passed to amend the elections law ostensibly to resolve power elbowing between the IEBC Chairman and its CEO. According to the piece, Khalwale wants to have the Chairman have free reign to do whatever he pleases and without regard to objections from sound, objective technocrats like CEO Oswago. That bill should not be proposed, let alone become law for that will be the same thing as saying to heck with accountability and transparency at IEBC and we know where that led us to in 2007. Let's all join in telling Khalwale to focus more on making IEBC more transparent and accountable to the public than a rubber stamp for behind the scenes deals he will surely guarantee if the Chairman whose conduct thus far is questionable at best is given free reign to do as he pleases. Well, brother Omwenga, I think the IEBC no longer exists as it was constituted. The cabinet, and Njeri Githae, have taken over most of their important roles in the run to the elections. And they are barred from discussing it, at least in public. I am banking on chaotic elections, disputes, and now with the deputy speaker saying forget march as date, without the IEBC immediately shutting him up because this is their mandate after all, i think this body is only there still, to keep up appearances. Very very dangerous. By the way as a lawyer, if the date is postponed once again, how legal will the salaries of the MPigs be? could they be barred from consuming the tax-payer? Brother Phil, IEBC is clearly not what we all envisioned it to be but we cannot let up in efforts to have it held accountable and on track to conduct open and transparent elections. I recently had a chat with someone who was key in constituting the panel and given he was not of the view the body has not swayed too far beyond correction, I think it can and must do so at least back to where it can maintain sufficient legitimacy to conduct the elections. A friend of mine and I have tentative plans to visit with a couple of institutions here in the US that are very involved and influential in global democratization with a view to give them a "citizen's update" on what they are no doubt keenly following. As for the MPs extending their term beyond March 4, 2013, let's just say that's not going to happen therefore not necessary to examine the illegality.
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Post by b6k on Sept 20, 2012 15:47:58 GMT 3
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Post by phil on Sept 25, 2012 15:16:22 GMT 3
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: PRESS STATEMENT
The Government of Kenya, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) have today Monday 2th September, 2012 signed a contract for the supply of 15,000 Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits. This follows a government to government arrangement made in August this year.
The Government of Kenya gave a letter of commitment to the supplier, Morpho Canada Inc., to enable them prepare the equipment as soon as they were identified by Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC), the Canadian Government’s International Contracting and Procurement Agency. The Canadian agency gave a written undertaking on the integrity and commercial standing of the firm.
The BVR kits are expected in October, 2012. IEBC targets to register18 million voters within the stipulated timeline for voter registration. The Commission has put in place measures to ensure that the exercise is conducted in a faster and efficient manner by use of the BVR system.
The contract was signed by Finance Permanent Secretary Joseph Kinyua, CCC’s Director David Olsen and IEBC’s CEO James Oswago. Also present at the signing ceremony was the outgoing Canadian High Commissioner to Kenya H.E David Collins, Chief Legal Officer Ministry of Justice Mr. John Tuta, IEBC Commissioners and members of the secretariate.
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Post by phil on Oct 17, 2012 23:51:06 GMT 3
Alright folks, the blame game begins and the kits are not even delivered yet! We hope no one will ask us to demand the government-to-government deal explain what is going on. Why anxiety reigns over IEBC plan for BVR kits
By Martin Mutua and Ben Agina
Confusion reigned over reported acquisition of Biometric Voter Registration kits by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission after it turned out only 200 sets had been procured.
Curiously, sources within the electoral body and Justice ministry claim even these sets are dummies, as they were delivered as samples for trials.
“The BVR kits are not available on demand, they have to be prepared once an order is made and procurement conditions are met. As of now, IEBC has not delivered the documents that would assure the French manufacturers that the deal is irreversible and it can start preparing the kits,’’ explained the sources familiar with the acquisition procedure.
“Even the contract has not been signed, it has to go through the Attorney General...what we have are 190 sample kits. There is a lot of anxiety at IEBC as to whether it is ready for the national exercise. We just know that 2,000 kits are ready in France,’’ added another source familiar with the process.
It also turned out Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa got his facts wrong when he told the Press on Tuesday all the 15, 000 kits required for the March 4 exercise had arrived. On Wednesday, the minister clarified so far only 1,700 kits had arrived and that the rest were expected by the end of this month.
He had earlier indicated all the kits had been delivered, but revised the figure to 5,000 on Wednesday. After consulting IEBC chairman Ahmed Isaack Hassan, the minister later told The Standard as a matter of fact only 1,700 kits were delivered.
But the confusion rose when IEBC officials further clarified that out of the 1,700 Wamalwa talked about, only 200 were BVR kits while the other 1,500 were fingerprint readers.
This set off the question whether IEBC will start voter registration on November 1, given the procurement is still at its infancy, and the Letter of Credit – issued by a bank – which assures the supplier of irrevocable payment deal and guarantees the time of payment and the amount in question is not ready.
Furthermore, there is still the challenge of freighting the kits sources estimate to weigh 400,000kg, and distribution locally and training of staff on its use.
On Wednesday, speaking to The Standard from Gaberone, Botswana, Hassan explained IEBC could not begin the registration with only 200 kits. “We will only begin the training after receiving 5,000 kits, which we expect at the end of the month. But I have asked the Chief Executive Officer James Oswago to allow journalists to see what we have in the warehouse,” explained Hassan.
The chairman, however, indicated the companies that lost the bid to supply the kits could be the ones raising issues.
Speaking to The Standard in Nairobi, Hassan’s deputy Lillian Mahiri-Zaja also confirmed IEBC had received the first batch of the kits.
“We have received the first batch of BVR kits and we are expecting more, which we are going to use in the exercise that starts next week,” said Mahiri-Zaja.
Logistical challenge
An independent source, however, told The Standard that transporting the BVR kits from Paris to Nairobi could still pose a logistical challenge because the total weight of 15,000 kits is about 400 tonnes.
“They may require to hire two large cargo jumbos to ferry the cargo to Nairobi or take over a week getting them here by sea,” said the source, adding this is assuming that they are ready.
It also emerged the deadline for the Letter of Credit sent by the Government, as guarantee through its bankers to the suppliers, was November 14.
The supply will therefore have to be effected within 21 days as the contractual agreement whose deadline comes in the first week of November.
From the foregoing, it appears then that the kits will arrive earliest next week and latest in two weeks, assuming the supplier has prepared them ahead of getting the Letter of Credit.
No training
Though the contract was signed and October 8 was to be effective date, there was an obligation for the provision of a letter of credit of 60 per cent of contract amount by Kenyan authorities, according to our investigations.
But we could not confirm whether this was done by the October 15 deadline, failure to which the delivery would further be delayed.
It means that the training of staff cannot happen until the kits are delivered. But other sources further revealed BVR kits are only assembled after an order has been received and that could also take time.
On Wednesday, Eugene conceded “there has been very poor communication from IEBC on matters pertaining the elections,” adding this had caused “a lot of anxiety”.
“I agree there is very poor communication from IEBC, which ought not to be the case as there is a chief executive and a communications department,” he said.
“The chairman is out of the country, but he will be returning at the end of the week and once he is here we shall hold a media conference to clarify these issues,” he assured.
Wamalwa also promised to take the media to the warehouse where the BVR kits would be stored once they arrive “at the end of the month”.
The minister said the recruitment and training of clerks who will operate the kits would be concluded by the end of the month.
The twist of events follows concerns that have been growing over the controversy around the purchase and acquisition of 15,000 BVR kits that are supposed to be used in preparation for the March 4 General Election.
With five months before the polls there have been anxiety over whether the IEBC will meet the deadline to register about 18 million voters in accordance with the set timelines.
IEBC is racing against time as it seeks to ensure that the country gets free, and fair elections.
None of their programmes geared towards the coming polls have been implemented apart from the delimitation of boundaries unveiled on Wednesday, through advertisements in newspapers. The BVR kits are supposed to improve the accuracy of the voter register. They are also aimed at eliminating double registration and “dead voters” estimated at 2,000,000 in the 2007 elections.
Deal reached
IEBC launched civic education for voters two weeks ago, considering the polls will be under a new constitutional dispensation.
When the deal to acquire the kits from Canada was struck during a special meeting chaired by President Kibaki at Harambee House in August, it was also resolved that the Government would bring an amendment Bill to shorten the period for closure of the voter register from three months to two.
So far that amendment has not been published and neither is it anywhere near Parliament for debate and passage.
On Tuesday IEBC officials Oswago and the Public relations Manager Tabitha Mutemi declined to comment on the status of BVR acquisition.
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Post by phil on Oct 23, 2012 11:49:54 GMT 3
a whole seven months after Jukwaa's Samuel Omwenga blew the whistle at the strange goings-on at the 'reformed and reconstituted' IEBC, Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa is now waking up to the realities of harsh, corrupt and unforgiving Kenyan political landscape.. Wamalwa warns of sabotage in vote kit crisis By Nation Reporter newsdesk@ke.nationmedia.com Posted Tuesday, October 23 2012 at 11:05
Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa now says the ravelling crisis over the biometric voter registration kits could be part of a plot to sabotage Kenya's upcoming general elections.
Mr Wamalwa said his ministry will name and shame possible saboteurs.
MORE TO FOLLOW It is regrettable that election preparation time, more so the cleaning of the all important voter register, has been wasted and Kenyans now face the prospect of either a serious constitional crisis, or a revert to the old existing voter register.. Was Hassan and his team of commissioners the best people to be left to manage the crucial electoral docket? I do not think so!
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Post by nok on Oct 23, 2012 12:16:21 GMT 3
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Post by phil on Oct 24, 2012 11:49:24 GMT 3
MEDIA BRIEFING I will be holding a media briefing at 11.30am today at my office. The briefing will be on the date of elections.
- Rt. Hon. Raila A. Odingo (Prime Minister)
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Post by kamalet on Oct 24, 2012 13:07:00 GMT 3
MEDIA BRIEFING I will be holding a media briefing at 11.30am today at my office. The briefing will be on the date of elections.
- Rt. Hon. Raila A. Odingo (Prime Minister)
...Did this happen? Waited for it on the 1 p.m. news and nothing!
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Post by phil on Oct 24, 2012 14:58:52 GMT 3
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Post by phil on Oct 24, 2012 16:19:52 GMT 3
GOVERNMENT, IEBC ASSURE KENYANS OF MARCH 4 2013 GENERAL ELECTION.
The Government and the Independent Election and Boundaries Commission (I.E.B.C.) today assured Kenyans that the general election will be held on March 4 saying the matter of the delay in the supply of the Biometric Voter Registration (B.V.R.) had been resolved.
Leading the government team, Prime Minister Raila Odinga was unequivocal that the election date was cast in stone adding all the relevant agencies involved in the acquisition of the B.V.R. kits are committed to doing all that is required to ensure that everything is in place for the March elections.
The PM was addressing a press conference at his office today after chairing a meeting attended by the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Eugene Wamalwa, the Minister for Finance Njeru Githae and the I.E.B.C. Chairman Isaack Hassan with his commissioners to resolve the B.V.R. crisis.
The PM explained that the government had made already 40 per cent payment to Safran Mopho the French firm appointed to supply the kits adding that Treasury would make the remaining 60 per cent by this Friday to pave way for the supply of the kits beginning next week.
Mr. Odinga allayed fears concerns that sections of the Government and influential members of the society are using the issue of the B.V.R. kits as an excuse to postponing the general election.
“I wish to state categorically that this country is preparing for and will hold Elections on March 4, 2013. Not a day earlier. Not a day later. The March 4, 2013 Election date is cast in stone,” he emphasized.
He noted that the IEBC has 196 kits which he added, were insufficient even for even training purposes adding the commission needs 5000 kits for training and a total of 15,000 kits to be able to conduct the general election successfully.
The PM further appealed to the relevant government agencies to work together with speed to ensure that all the 18 million Kenyans who have attained the voting age are registered to vote. He specially directed that all those who have attained age 18 be issued with identity cards expeditiously to ensure that they can be legible to vote.
Speaking at the function Mr. Wamalwa expressed satisfaction with the arrangements but added that Parliament may have to consider amending the election ACT to accommodate the tight election timelines.
He revealed that he had the Treasury in mind yesterday when he was complaining of those suspected to be deliberately delaying the acquisition of the B.V.R. and hence the registration of voters.
Finance Minister Njeru Githae exonerated the treasury from blame saying the treasury had acted promptly on the agreement of payment which he said, only arrived in the country on Friday adding they will finalize signing the agreement tomorrow and complete the 60 per cent payment by Friday.
The Minister appealed to Kenyans to stop making alarming statements about the B.V.R saga saying no one was intent on delaying the election as imputed in some public pronouncements.
On his part the chairman of I.E.B.C Issack Hassan echoed the same sentiments saying the kits must be in the country by October 30th to enable them to train staff and begin the registration of voters.
Noting that the commission had employed 30,000 B.V.R voter registration clerks, Mr. Hassan said it was important to have time to train them on the kits before the exercise begins.
He appealed to candidates to mobilize voters to register in large numbers noting that they were targeting 18 million voters when the exercise begins next month.”If we don’t start in November there will be serious repercussions,” he added.
- ODM Communications
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Post by Omwenga on Oct 28, 2012 4:58:17 GMT 3
GOVERNMENT, IEBC ASSURE KENYANS OF MARCH 4 2013 GENERAL ELECTION.
The Government and the Independent Election and Boundaries Commission (I.E.B.C.) today assured Kenyans that the general election will be held on March 4 saying the matter of the delay in the supply of the Biometric Voter Registration (B.V.R.) had been resolved.
Leading the government team, Prime Minister Raila Odinga was unequivocal that the election date was cast in stone adding all the relevant agencies involved in the acquisition of the B.V.R. kits are committed to doing all that is required to ensure that everything is in place for the March elections.
The PM was addressing a press conference at his office today after chairing a meeting attended by the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Eugene Wamalwa, the Minister for Finance Njeru Githae and the I.E.B.C. Chairman Isaack Hassan with his commissioners to resolve the B.V.R. crisis.
The PM explained that the government had made already 40 per cent payment to Safran Mopho the French firm appointed to supply the kits adding that Treasury would make the remaining 60 per cent by this Friday to pave way for the supply of the kits beginning next week.
Mr. Odinga allayed fears concerns that sections of the Government and influential members of the society are using the issue of the B.V.R. kits as an excuse to postponing the general election.
“I wish to state categorically that this country is preparing for and will hold Elections on March 4, 2013. Not a day earlier. Not a day later. The March 4, 2013 Election date is cast in stone,” he emphasized.
He noted that the IEBC has 196 kits which he added, were insufficient even for even training purposes adding the commission needs 5000 kits for training and a total of 15,000 kits to be able to conduct the general election successfully.
The PM further appealed to the relevant government agencies to work together with speed to ensure that all the 18 million Kenyans who have attained the voting age are registered to vote. He specially directed that all those who have attained age 18 be issued with identity cards expeditiously to ensure that they can be legible to vote.
Speaking at the function Mr. Wamalwa expressed satisfaction with the arrangements but added that Parliament may have to consider amending the election ACT to accommodate the tight election timelines.
He revealed that he had the Treasury in mind yesterday when he was complaining of those suspected to be deliberately delaying the acquisition of the B.V.R. and hence the registration of voters.
Finance Minister Njeru Githae exonerated the treasury from blame saying the treasury had acted promptly on the agreement of payment which he said, only arrived in the country on Friday adding they will finalize signing the agreement tomorrow and complete the 60 per cent payment by Friday.
The Minister appealed to Kenyans to stop making alarming statements about the B.V.R saga saying no one was intent on delaying the election as imputed in some public pronouncements.
On his part the chairman of I.E.B.C Issack Hassan echoed the same sentiments saying the kits must be in the country by October 30th to enable them to train staff and begin the registration of voters.
Noting that the commission had employed 30,000 B.V.R voter registration clerks, Mr. Hassan said it was important to have time to train them on the kits before the exercise begins.
He appealed to candidates to mobilize voters to register in large numbers noting that they were targeting 18 million voters when the exercise begins next month.”If we don’t start in November there will be serious repercussions,” he added.
- ODM Communications Phil, Having attended this briefing the other day, and based on other observations made based on independently obtained information elsewhere, all I can say is the PM should be commended as usual for keeping vigil over the public interest especially when it comes to following the Constitution absent of which those bent on engaging all manner of shenanigans to thwart implementation of the Constitution or at least those bent on causing electoral delays and/or chaos would be having a field day. It's quite pleasing to say not only is the PM vigilant, so are a vast majority of Kenyans who would not stand for any recklessness on the part of those with the power to so abuse and ditto for friends of Kenya regionally and globally. The irony of all this is, when I first raised the question of IEBC being compromised already, a lot has since happened to the point I must say those within it I suspected as being compromised already may, indeed, have been so compromised back then but there is every indication some common sense is prevailing on even those such that doing the right thing for Kenyans is now paramount, not their short-sighted and opportunistic pursuits that have so characterized much of the corrupt we have witnessed and continue to in government. That's refreshing and one can say with some confidence there is hope, after-all, with IEBC. I am not by saying so not saying there aren't efforts under way by KSG schemers trying to find ways to block Raila; they are but what we cannot allow them and by that I mean all Kenyans of good will cannot allow them to do is to use our governmental institutions to that end, including frustrating or exploiting IEBC. That, we cannot allow them. For now, as the PM and others are saying, let's be confident the elections shall be held as scheduled on March 4, 2012. As he has been saying all along, he is ready and prepared to face whoever thinks has it to beat him at the ballot and let the voters decide. That's how it must be and the KSG and ABR schemers better not doubt that resolve by all Kenyans of good will to have their leaders chosen by conventional means, including an open and transparent elections not by any means they foolishly think they can pull off. Not this time.
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Post by kamalet on Oct 28, 2012 12:30:43 GMT 3
No one is trying to block Raila but himself! The fact that his fortunes are plummeting that he dare not do another sponsored Ambitho Poll as it might just tell hiss fee remaining supporters that it is time to leave the sinking ship.
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Post by phil on Oct 28, 2012 12:40:22 GMT 3
No one is trying to block Raila but himself! The fact that his fortunes are plummeting that he dare not do another sponsored Ambitho Poll as it might just tell hiss fee remaining supporters that it is time to leave the sinking ship. This was never about Raila but about the inept, compromised and divided IEBC. When will you ever stop dreaming about Raila?
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Post by jakaswanga on Oct 28, 2012 14:33:47 GMT 3
omwenga,
If the french company is paid in full and in time as they demand, there is hope. This company was single sourced by the Canadian government --Canada which Kenya had sourced in a government to government contract, after rejecting a similar but free deal from the USA!
The IEBC is a bystander in the crucial processes of the election. This is the hitch. They do not control the process they are INDEPENDENTLY suppose to manage.
The elections of course will be there. But will the RESULT of the PRESIDENTIAL vote be accepted as legitimate, thus a peaceful transition? That, is the pregnant question. Causing jitters all around.
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Post by Omwenga on Oct 29, 2012 8:59:50 GMT 3
omwenga, If the french company is paid in full and in time as they demand, there is hope. This company was single sourced by the Canadian government --Canada which Kenya had sourced in a government to government contract, after rejecting a similar but free deal from the USA! The IEBC is a bystander in the crucial processes of the election. This is the hitch. They do not control the process they are INDEPENDENTLY suppose to manage. The elections of course will be there. But will the RESULT of the PRESIDENTIAL vote be accepted as legitimate, thus a peaceful transition? That, is the pregnant question. Causing jitters all around. Jakaswanga,An apt observation but there is still plenty of hope. Meanwhile, I find the whining of some of the Constituency Electoral Coordinators (CECs) just that--whining with little substance or concerns that should be of any concern in the larger scheme of things. More on this here, www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000069451&pageNo=1&story_title=Kenya-IEBC-rocked-by-mass-transfer-of-poll-staff
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Post by b6k on Oct 29, 2012 10:26:47 GMT 3
No one is trying to block Raila but himself! The fact that his fortunes are plummeting that he dare not do another sponsored Ambitho Poll as it might just tell hiss fee remaining supporters that it is time to leave the sinking ship. This was never about Raila but about the inept, compromised and divided IEBC. When will you ever stop dreaming about Raila? Phil, you lash out at Kamale yet you conveniently forget that it is Omwenga who brought in Raila on this IEBC thread by recommending special commendations. You'll be surprised no one would comment if you & the rest of the choir kept his name out of threads. Bring it up & expect a beat down. It's that simple...
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